7/31/2014

A previously uncontacted tribe has emerged from the jungles of Brazil suffering from flu and saying they've been shot at, according to reports.

Footage of the encounter at the Envira River, near the border with Peru, was posted to YouTube by LiveLeak. Since the Panoan language of the tribe is similar to that of other tribes, interpreters sent in by the government were able to speak with them.

"They described being attacked by non-native people and many died after coming down with the flu and diphtheria," said interpreter Jaminawa Jose Correia, according to a report on the G1 web portal and cited by AFP.

Several of the tribal people have been treated for flu, which could be especially deadly as they have no immunity to the disease.

“At first they were afraid and wary, but thankfully in the end they understood, believed us, trusted the medical team and accepted the medicine,” Carlos Travassos of Brazil's National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) told Forbes. “It was a difficult and slow dialogue.”